My 33rd (!) birthday is coming up next week, and in an effort to start taking better care of myself, I signed up for a 5-day, gentle cleanse organized by Crafted Wellness. My friend Amanda Carney (who is one half of Crafted Wellness) is a holistic health and nutrition coach, and author of the blog, My Edible Sunshine. Her passion for healthy eating and living is an inspiration to me, and I'm excited to give this a try. When it comes to healthy eating, I am literally THE WORST. I'm a cheeseburger lovin', Cheeto-aholic, cake-and-ice cream for breakfast kind of gal. Every once in a while, I'll buy a bag of salad in an effort to eat healthier, but it usually goes bad before I finish it. I fantasize about being a better eater "someday", but I never manage to get around to it. Clearly, I need some help!

That's why I signed up for the "Awaken Your Health" cleanse Sep. 29th-Oct. 3rd. Don't worry, this isn't one of those cleanses where you only drink lemon water for 5 days. It's based on a balanced diet of whole foods with an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, leafy greens, whole grains, healthy fats, nuts, seeds, and a few high-quality animal proteins. It only costs $40 (if you sign up before Sep. 24th) and you get a list of allowed and restricted foods, shopping lists, recipes, meal options, supplement recommendations, and tips to guide you during the cleanse. Best of all, you get 1-on-1 email support from the organizers, Amanda and Jackie, and you can also join the private Facebook group to connect with other cleansers for additional motivation and support. So basically, you won't have to do it alone!